A locus for eccentrics (hopefully)

Thursday, February 28, 2008

That wacky Bush!

When asked if he was concerned about the economy having an effect on Republican John McCain's presidential campaign, Bush said, "I'm concerned about the economy because I'm concerned about working Americans, concerned about people who want to put money on the table and save for their kids' education."

I think he meant "food on the table"

This is the all-time best Bushism:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qDuG0ZYD5I

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Rilo Kiley mash-up

Don't get me wrong, I like it, but Rilo Kiley's "Moneymaker"= The Cars' "Moving in Stereo" + Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive"

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Wednesday, February 13, 2008

What the Hell is Wrong With Kelvin Sampson?

Seriously. I hate the NCAA as much as the next guy, but it's not like their recruiting guidelines are that complicated.

Also, screw Eric Gordon.

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Tuesday, February 12, 2008

The Third-Rate Fourth Estate

I hate buying into conventional American Politics analyses of media, framing and electoral behavior, but it is really tough to accept this ham-handed, curiously-Super-Chesapeake-Tuesday timed lead story in the New York Times in any other way. It resuscitates every Clinton race-baiting storyline from the South Carolina primary--which was, oh, a month ago--and unceremoniously regurgitates it back into their readership's consciousness without provocation.

"Seeking Unity, Obama Feels Pull of Racial Divide."

"...Barack Obama had hoped to be above racial tensions, but he has been pulled into the thick of them."

"...Mr. Obama and his advisers hoped would be the tone of a campaign they were determined not to define by the color of his skin."

"... As he heads into a fresh round of contests Tuesday, the Potomac primaries, in a tight rivalry with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and with an impressive record of victories across the nation in which he drew significant white votes and overwhelming black support, he claims to have accomplished that goal." (Emphasis added)

"...the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rev. Al Sharpton..."
Hey, guess what, jackasses? It took me all of five minutes to determine that Obama won 68% of the vote in a state (Washington) where blacks make up... 3.6% of the population. But please, don't let that disturb the echosphere.

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Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Super Tuesday

Really a super interesting night to see how much most of between the coasts America just does not cooperate with the democratic party machine, especially sort of against type. I mean, Obama is more liberal, black, etc. Yet he takes more conservative democratic states like Minnesota, Dakotas, Utah, Kansas and Missouri (well not so much in Missouri with its huge urban population)? Shows you how much midwesterners dislike Hillary Clinton, I guess. The really substantial win by Hillary in California is not a race ender, but is really a huge blow IMHO. Especially the margin of victory, really quite substantial. Clinton won less states yesterday, but she definitely won all the ones that counted most.

It's funny, the big thing people were thinking that would be a problem with race for Obama would be whites shying away from him. Turns out that the fact that Latinos and African Americans hate each other in most urban areas is turning out to be the most telling barrier. Another sort of revealing and interesting thing taken from this already unusual race.

As for the Republican race, it's over. Shows you why the race has early states set consecutively before the big states--in order to *coordinate* on two candidates. When that coordination fails, you see some predictable results for the two candidates with the closest ideal points. Nevertheless, for the Republicans, I think the result was good news for America in general. I wouldn't vote for him (despite what others on the lemur, have, to my surprise, said they would do), but I certainly wouldn't fear for America's safety with McCain at the helm. All you have to do is look at the anger among conservative nutjobs to see that the country will benefit from a Obama/Clinton--McCain presidential race.

Friday, February 01, 2008

Suck it Down, Neill

Happy Birthday. Now please tell me why Hillary Clinton became the Democratic Party Establishment's choice to be the 2008 nominee? Seriously, what is it about her that gives them the feel of a sure thing? Why did they rally around her immediately, raising billions of dollars? It reminds me of how Bush was the Establishment GOP pick in 1999. Sure, there was name recognition and he was seen as a moderate executive of a large state who could cross party lines easily to get stuff done. But she has been such a polarizing figure for so long--what's more, if you really dissect her appearances and listen to what she's saying on the campaign trail and how she is saying it, she's a sub-par candidate, in my opinion. Doesn't fire people up, parses her answers, lacks charisma, ect. There are plenty of Dems (Obama aside) with name recognition who can use the experience card like she has. Why did they rally to HER? Was it Bill Clinton's influence within the party? The delusion that a female nominee would turn out millions of otherwise disinclinated voters? I just don't get it. Because she's an inferior candidate compared to Obama, and if my hunch is correct, she's going to have the nomination wrapped up by Tuesday night because no matter what happened in Iowa, New Hampshire or SC, the Establishment was always going to support her.
Someone, for the love of all that is Holy, tell me why. Because I really think that when she gets the nomination, McCain will wipe the floor with her. He will appeal to conservative Dems and populist Independents, and as much as the GOP base despises him, I have the hunch they hate her more. It just seems like a fucking lose-lose. Obama had at least the chance to tap into Independents or Disaffected Republicans and win them over. But now this. Ugh. I demand an explanation as to why she was Anointed.